243 loaded with hornady 58 gr v max

[pressman]

i was getting ready to work up some loads with 58gr v max and i noticed that if i load them to the standard length of 2.710 that i only have about 1/8 of bullet stuck in the neck. That just does not seam enough. has anyone else loaded these? is that enough?

 

[SBruce]

I prefer to have more than that inside then neck, but you've still got 1/2 caliber burried, so in theory you'll be ok. (.243 / 2 = .125") Just don't handle the ammo real rough or you could get the bullets out of concentric to the centerline of the case/chamber.

From where you are now, you can adjust your seating depth in a little at a time and test for best accuracy at deeper seatings. If accuracy degrades as you seat the bullets deeper, I'd personally try a longer heavier bullet.

 

[pressman]

Thanks Bruce i do have some 70 gr as well as 87, 95 and 105. i am just getting ready to start a major let's find a good load for coyote's
My IOR scope should be here by the end of the week. so just getting some ideas on loads.

 

[johnnyk]

pressman,
Went through the same thing looking for a groundhog load. I try to follow the 1/2 a caliber inside the neck rule (i.e., .243 / 2 = .1215). Sometimes this doesn't work or look just right to me and I will go off instinct and sink them a little deeper and adjust OAL as accuracy dictates.
I eventually went with a longer, heavier bullet. The little 58gn and 65gn V-Max's are fast and explosive but loose out in the wind the farther away your shots start getting. I noticied my average of hits on groundhogs and crows tended to rise when I stayed at 85gn and above.
My .243 loves the 85, 90 and 95gn pills. For now I've settled on the 90gn Ballistic Tip for any varmints and medium range deer. I have taken groundhogs out to 600yds with this bullet. Good luck in your search. JohnnyK.

 

[243winman]

I load them to 2.600 coal it shoots great load is N-140 43.0 gr coal works fine I was going to do the same thing but my new hornady book is saying to load them deep 1-10 twist with light bullets need to be down more than your 95 or 100 grain bullets